I had some overheating issues with my 2002 Freelander and i think it stressed my water pump. I am noticing a different higher pitched noise coming from the engine bay around where the water pump is located. I think the water pump is failing. A couple questions: 1. could it be anything else?2. is this an easy DIY for a semi-mechanically inclined person? 3. If it is operated by a timing belt, would i need any special tools? 4. approximate tension setting for this? thanks,

 

My Freelander is about to replace timing belts and water pump. Since dealer is going to charge me over $2G, I did some research and trying to do it myself with two other friends who are mechanics. All I can tell you is... it is pain in the a$$ to do it. The water pump is operated by a timing belt (there are total of 3 timing belts in the car, one in the front and two in the rear). The job also required many Land Rover special tools. It costs $900 to purhcase the tool (Land Rover timing tool).

So, my suggestion is don't DIY it. I decided to have a dealer to do it because I figure $900 for tools, $650 for parts, hours of work and chances to screwed up things is not worth it.

 

Kchho2000 is right on here, the V6 in the freelander is a Dealer special , too many tools and too much at risk since it is an interference engine (valves will hit if timing is out) also if the timing goes out just a little it also effects the rear belts that drive the exhaust cams, If these arent set up right the check engine light will come on ,run rough etc. also dont skip that belt replacement service,the belts will break andif a valve hits and drops into the cylinder theres no repairing it , the long engine is somewhere around 8k without the labor